Bell to play 2017 on Exclusive Franchise Tag

Now, Bell enters 2017 with the notion that he's already going to earn almost $27 million at the very least over the course of the next two seasons thanks to possible back-to-back franchise tags and possibly even more than that should he work out a long-term deal with the organization a year from now.

Bell's 2017 contract ranks second among running backs next season in terms of total cash. Bell instead will make $12.1 million this season, the average of the five highest-paid running backs in the league. Although he's expected to be fine for Week 1, Bell will take the field without the security of a long-term deal to remain with the Steelers.

Also important to note, the Redskins were reluctant to offer him more than one more year guaranteed.

Monday marked the last day for any potential contract negotiations for players, and the day came and went when it came to Bell's situation with the Steelers. The Steelers locker room named Bell their 2016 MVP.

The next question is whether Bell will sign his $12.1 million tender in order to join the Steelers in training camp.

Bell echoed similar statements that Kirk Cousins made on 106.7 the Fan in January, saying it would be a bad precedent to take less money to hurt future deals for quarterbacks. The rehab from his latest surgery along with his unsettled contract situation caused Bell to miss OTAs and minicamp. Bell did it in 47 games.

At that time, Bell will be 28-years-old, heading towards the latter part of his career, and will have a young and exciting back behind him. So that, coupled with the fact that the running back numbers are a little bit out of sorts, so to speak, just in relationship to all the players in the league right now. And only two running backs averaged over 100 yards rushing last season: Bell and Ezekiel Elliott. "I'm going to definitely enjoy my best year with the Steelers and be happy with it". However, if the sources of NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero are to be believed, that is exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers tried to do.